Driver Shot in Head Crashes on I-80

He remains in the hospital as the investigation continues.

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A driver remains in the hospital after crashing his car on Interstate Highway 80 (I-80) near Gary, Ind, after being shot in the head by a driver in another car, according to Indiana State Police.

Brandis France, 31, of East Chicago, Ind., was driving a Buick LaSabre with his 24-year-old girlfriend southbound on Cline Avenue near Michigan/5th Avenue when they noticed a red or maroon Dodge Durango in the left lane, a release from Indiana State Police said.

The girlfriend told police that both the front and passenger windows on the Durango were down on the passenger side and thought it unusual. She said the Durango had slowed down to where it was barely moving when France decided to pass it. The LaSabre exited off onto I-80 eastbound and was in the right lane when she noticed the Durango pull alongside the France’s side of the car. She stated she heard one gunshot and France then lost control of the car.

The LaSabre hit a concrete barrier wall on the outer shoulder causing the vehicle to roll onto its top before hitting the wall again, State Police said. France and his girlfriend then exited the vehicle and found refuge inside another vehicle that saw the car upside down and checked to make sure everything was alright. This person did not witness the shooting or the crash.

France and his girlfriend were both taken to North Lake Methodist Hospital in Gary. It was confirmed that France suffered a single gunshot wound to his left temple, State Police said. He was unconscious as of late Saturday morning and was being transferred to another hospital. The girlfriend was treated and released on Saturday.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information is being asked to contact Indiana State Police investigating Detective Jennifer Richmond at (219) 696-6242.